30 January 2013

Opportunities in world puppetry now?




















Pictured above is Peter Schumann's Bread and Puppet Theater working on a scene from "The Possibilitarians" which opened this week at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. Ten performers are operating the 'Mama Earth' puppet; the Sky puppet above and behind is a giant marionette operated by twelve puppeteers.

The company brought it's latest project to Boston, along with a show that the company created back in the ‘60s, offering a unique chance for audiences to see how the company has evolved -- and what issues, in their opinion, society has yet to resolve -- over the last 50 years, since Schumann founded the company.

One of the new works Bread & Puppet is set to perform, "The Possibilitarians", draws inspiration from the 'diggers' of 17th-century England. At the time, rising food prices sparked a desire to grow crops as a community on land taken over by the government. The diggers dedicated themselves to "reclaiming and occupying commonly held land," as theater historian and former Bread & Puppet member John Bell put it.  For more information on their performances, go to the Boston Center for the Arts website here!

The World Puppet Carnival is launching it's 'Wayang World Puppet Carnival' in Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia this year from 1 - 8 September. They are, once again, looking for shows, video and puppet films. They are interested in all kind of programs for children, family and adults and want both traditional shows and new innovative and experimental shows.  Festival participants are invited to stay for the entire festival.  The Carnival will provide local transportation, free accommodation, food, and daily pocket money. Applications need to be submitted before 15 March. If any of you are interested in more information, you can visit their website here.

Other current opportunities for puppeteers are Basil Twist's company in New York are looking for people interested in interning or volunteering on Basil's Twists RITE OF SPRING production for the month of February. Hours and tasks are varied but you get to have a hand in an exciting new production. For more information, you can contact Julia here.

Cirque du Soleil are looking for performers with the following character traits: Male; between 4'2" & 5'1"; caucasian; must be able to portray a childlike character; slender body type and charismatic. You need to be youthful, with physical acting experience, acrobatic and musical  If you are interested, you need to apply by 1 February. You can find out more information here.

I am always posting opportunities like these on our Puppetry News FaceBook page, which you can also subscribe to here!

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